Dental Assistant Pay

Atlanta vs Roswell: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Atlanta, GA and Roswell, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$48,692
$23.41/hr
Roswell, GA
$47,588
$22.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GARoswell, GA
Median Salary$48,692$47,588
Hourly Rate$23.41$22.88
Entry Level (P10)$38,987$37,108
25th Percentile$47,125$43,801
75th Percentile$57,841$58,300
Top Earner (P90)$59,594$62,352
Total Employed6,70019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($48,692) and Roswell ($47,588) dental assistant salaries.AtlantaRoswellMedian Salary$48,692$47,588Entry Level (P10)$38,987$37,108Top Earner (P90)$59,594$62,352US Median $49,579

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roswell.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Roswell is $1,104 (2.32%). Atlanta's median is -1.79% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $20,607,Roswell spans $25,244. Roswell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$38,987
P25$47,125
Median$48,692
P75$57,841
P90 (Top)$59,594
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$37,108
P25$43,801
Median$47,588
P75$58,300
P90 (Top)$62,352

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roswell ($51,115 effective) pays 5.04% more than Atlanta ($48,664 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $48,692
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $48,664
Roswell
Nominal: $47,588
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $51,115

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,692/year)
  • Larger job market (6,700 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,352)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,115)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Atlanta grew 11.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+11.3%

$42,420 (2019) → $47,210 (2025)

Roswell, GA

+22.0%

$37,833 (2024) → $46,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Atlanta or Roswell?

Atlanta has a higher median dental assistant salary at $48,692/year, compared to Roswell at $47,588/year — a difference of $1,104 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Roswell?

Atlanta dental assistants earn $23.41/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $22.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Roswell as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $48,664, Roswell = $51,115), job availability (6,700 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Atlanta vs Roswell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $38,987 in Atlanta and $37,108 in Roswell. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov